Deprecated: mysql_connect(): The mysql extension is deprecated and will be removed in the future: use mysqli or PDO instead in /home/ncpedp/public_html/dnis.org/Connections/connect.php on line 15
Resource id #4
Decision to eliminate key personnel in area of Disability; D.P.I. writes to World Bank President - Volume 4 Issue 10: Disability News and Information Service for India

Decision to eliminate key personnel in area of Disability; D.P.I. writes to World Bank President

D.N.I.S. News Network –In its
letter to the World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, Disabled People’s International
(D.P.I.) has expressed dismay at changes the Bank will be making with regard
to inclusion of disability in its development agenda. Whilst retaining
the position of ‘Disability Adviser’, the Bank has decided not to renew the
contract of the current Disability and Development Adviser, Judith Heumann,
and other key staff positions within the wider Disability and Development
Team.

D.P.I. has also mentioned that it has further
understood that one of the regional disability focal point positions will
be eliminated and that D.P.I. would query the criteria used in making this
assessment, and also whether any stakeholders in the region, especially representative
organisations of persons with disabilities, were consulted in reaching this
determination.

Appreciating that specific personnel decisions
are within the Bank's prerogative, D.P.I. has expressed concern that in addition
to losing the excellent leadership of Heumann, it appeared that the proposed
changes would substantially deprive the Bank of the institutional knowledge
of disability and development built-up over the last four years - a knowledge
base that would seem to be an essential component of any plan to further operationalise
disability within the Bank’s activities.

D.P.I. also added that these developments signal
a significant change in direction and commitment by the Bank, and a retreat
from the leadership role that the Bank has played in the field of disability
and development over the last several years. It strongly urged the World Bank
President to reconsider the proposed changes that would substantially weaken
the Bank's capacity to meet its commitment to the 400 million plus people
with disabilities living in the developing world.